In Homberg/Efze, St. Mary’s Church, the castle and hiking trails offer different focal points for a stay. St. Mary’s Church combines Gothic architectural history with the Homberg Synod of 1526; at Hohenburg Castle, the views and castle well take centre stage. Hiking destinations include Lochbach Gorge and the Lochbach Trail. Markets and festivals add to the year-round attractions—with dates you should check for your travel year.
St. Mary’s Church, the City Gate and Castle History
The Protestant St. Mary’s Church is a Gothic architectural monument. Construction of the three-aisled hall church began around 1340. The Homberg Synod was held in the church in 1526, which is why it is also known as the Reformation Church. Architecture and a defining historical event come together here in one place.
The New Gate is also part of the city’s history: it is the only city gate in Homberg/Efze to have survived to this day. The Hohenburg Museum in Homberg/Efze presents 7,000 exhibits from different periods in the castle’s history. Its permanent exhibition covers the reconstruction of the castle, its history up to its destruction during the Thirty Years’ War, the construction and clearing of the castle well, and life at the castle. The well thus features not only as a structure at Hohenburg Castle, but also as a subject in the exhibition.
A guided climb up the church tower involves 217 steps. The tour includes a visit to the historic tower keeper’s apartment, where you can enjoy views over the city. The number of steps gives you a concrete idea of the climb, so plan this tour as a separate activity.
Hohenburg Castle and the Castle Well
Hohenburg Castle rises above Homberg/Efze on a basalt cone. From there, views extend as far as the Habichtswald, Knüll Nature Park and the forests of Kellerwald-Edersee National Park. These named landscapes provide different points of reference for the view, allowing you to pick out individual destinations.
The castle well was once dug 150 metres deep into the basalt and is one of the deepest wells in Germany. A lighting system and an automatic water feature illustrate its depth. The permanent exhibition at the Hohenburg Museum also covers the well, with displays on its construction and clearing. If you are interested in its history, you can explore it both as part of Hohenburg Castle and in the exhibition.
Hiking Trails and Festivals Throughout the Year
Lochbach Gorge lies between Wallenstein and Homberg-Hülsa. A trail runs along both sides of the stream over boardwalks and bridges; there are benches and picnic spots along the 1.3-kilometre route.
Following successful recertification by the German Hiking Institute, the Lochbach Trail is officially certified as a premium hiking trail. One access point is in Homberg-Hülsa. Lochbach Gorge is 1.3 kilometres long; the Lochbach Trail is officially certified as a premium hiking trail.
Annual highlights in Homberg/Efze include the Easter Market, Wine Festival, Old Town Festival, night markets, Homberg Artists’ Gathering, Autumn Market, Clobes Market Christmas Market and Summer in the City. If you want one of these events to determine your travel dates, check the dates for your chosen year: the individual dates vary. This lets you combine historical sites and trails with a festival date that suits you, without planning your entire stay around it.
Discover more destinations: Hülsa, Welferode, Gilserberg, Fritzlar, Bad Zwesten, Oberaula, Wabern, Schwarzenborn.
For the higher-level travel overview: Schwalm-Eder District.
